Hi, my name is xxxxx. I m 14 years old and I m 5 2. I wanted to be at least 5 6 or 5 7, but the doctors have said that I ve already reached my adult height. Many people have suggested things like exercise and following a good diet , which I already have been doing for the past year or so, but nothing has worked. Are there any medications that can help me grow 4-5 inches taller?

At the end of the long bones (the bones in the arms, thighs and legs) are areas of cartilage that are involved in lenghtening the bones during childhood and early puberty. At some point in adolescence these areas stop producing or being involved in increasing length and no further growth is possible.

If your doctors have assessed, by examination and possibly xrays, that you have reached your final height, then,unfortunately, it is not possible to increase it.
There are medications that are used in children whose long bones are still adding bone but it will not work if this area is no longer active.

The use of exercise techniques such as yoga and pilates will help with posture and increase the strength of the abdominal muscles which may help somewhat.

Height of an individual is determined by Genetics, Environmental & Nutritional factors and Hormonal factors (most important the Growth Hormone secreted by pituitary gland in brain)
An individual stops growing in height after the fusion of the Epiphyses (growth plates) of the long bones, which occurs by the age of 16-20 yrs in females.

But if your Doctor has said that you have attained your adult height, then further increase in height is not possible.
The fusion of the Epiphyses can be observed in X ray to confirm the diagnosis.

One more thing...avoid consuming any over the counter medication which claim to boost your growth hormone & increase height...it may be harmful.

Wishing you Good Health.
Thanks and take care.

Answered: Wed, 27 Mar 2013

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